creating environmental improvements through biodiversity

Output:
Description of SEA, and differences between this and EIA
Guidance, sources of information and references on SEA, case studies
Biodiversity related:
• Table of SEA topic coverage and baseline data sources. Included damage to internationally and nationally
designated sites, and effects on regional BAP targets for habitats and species
• Description of Environmental Capital Evaluation - summary of the Bovey Basin Ball Clay Strategy as
example: Area was divided into character areas on basis of land use; environmental feature maps produced for
each area; and services provided by each feature assessed (included different habitat types and biodiversity).
Policy and management notes were produced for each site.
• Assessment of usefulness of ‘Environmental and Quality of Life Capital’ approach to minerals planning
– most useful at land allocation assessment stage or for Area Action Plans – data collection at detailed spatial
level. Relatively untested at level of a Strategic Minerals Plan
• Description of several other approaches such as ‘Sustainability Threshold Assessment’ and ‘Environmental
Capacity’, where biodiversity is considered against other environmental factors. Different approaches evaluated
• Description of Environmental Constraints Mapping, where nature conservation designations, landscape
designations and ‘BAP areas’ are (and other constrains) are mapped against minerals resources. This is used to
test whether sites in a development plan are developed in the least sensitive locations possible
• Description of Site Assessments within SEA. These help to assess the ‘footprint’ of all (potential) minerals
sites in one area, to determine the overall effects on local biodiversity
• Section on linking SEA to EIA
• Discussion that SEA and minerals planning in the UK is at a very early stage. Techniques described are
largely taken from other sectors / purposes. Highlights the need for MPAs to test which techniques are most /
least feasible
Sustainable Aggregates Creating Environmental Improvements through Biodiversity
Impacts (Actual):
The report describes different potential techniques for SEA, to be considered by the minerals industry.
Biodiversity considerations are included. Biodiversity is considered alongside numerous other environmental,
heritage and social factors.
The report highlights a need for SEA training and awareness-raising on related issues among minerals planners.
It also highlights the need for these techniques to be tested.
Impacts (Potential):
The report has potential to be widely considered by the minerals industry in the infancy of the SEA processes.
We did not have information on how has this progressed since 2004.
Dissemination:
The report was publicised among all MPAs via a leaflet and free electronic document copies. The leaflet
was also to be distributed at events organised by the Centre for Sustainability and the report publicised to
delegates at the Sep 2003 SEA and minerals planning workshop. Other SEA workshops had been and would
be held. It was also to be publicised on the Centre for Sustainability’s SEA Information website www.sea-info.
net
Articles were to be produced for publication in journals for environmental assessment and minerals planning
audiences.
The Centre for Sustainability was to investigate possible publication of the report on ODPM or DEFRA
websites; setting up SEA subgroups within planning and environmental professional bodies; awareness raising
events; training courses; and setting up regional SEA workshops.
71